Knowledge and Attitude towards Evidence Based Practice among trainee Psychologists

Abstract

A very recent initiative has been taken by psychologists, evidence based practice (EBPP) to improve patients‟ care by inculcating research based best evidence along with clinicians‟ expertise in the field and judgment in context of patients‟ needs and values. EBP is key to the ethical practice as it not only confirms providing the best available services that are beneficial for the clients and but also avoid maleficence. EBP is established in the developed countries within an established system of mental health. However, in the current context of Pakistan few researchers have emphasized on practice of EBP. The aim of this research is to understand the level of awareness/recognition and knowledge of trainee psychologists about evidence based practices. The sample consists of 120 males and females graduate and post graduate trainee psychologists doing internships at government and private hospitals .The data was collected through non probability convenient and purposive sampling. The data was collected form major cities of Pakistan Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi .The study variables measured through adapted version of Evidence Based Practices Attitude Scale (Lubbe, 2007). For data analysis, descriptive statistics, Cross Tabulations, T-Test, One way ANOVA were used. The result revealed that women psychologists were more involved in clinical based practices. Increase in education level has positive impact on knowledge of EBPP and increase in practice years does not add into knowledge of EBPP. Result also showed that participants were flexible to adopt new research based practices but lack of knowledge of EBP among fresh graduates is quite evident. With practice they get command on their clinical skills, but the utilization of research for skill enhancement is low.